– Asia-wide agreement for the 2017 Championship includes exclusive rights and new territories –
– Includes exclusive live and delayed multi-platform coverage –
– Coverage also available across Discovery’s wider portfolio, including Setanta Asia and Rugby Pass –
Singapore, 3 June 2016
Eurosport has announced a new agreement to expand its rights to show the upcoming Six Nations Championship, the premier international rugby union competition in the northern hemisphere, to fans across Asia*. The Asia-wide agreement for the 2017 Championship includes a range of exclusive rights and new territories, including China**, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, bringing the tournament to more fans on more screens than ever before.
The agreement provides Eurosport with exclusive live and delayed coverage of the Championships, including highlights, across multi-platforms. Coverage can also be made available across Discovery’s wider portfolio, such as through premium rugby channel Setanta Sports Asia, and digital content platform Rugby Pass that reaches passionate rugby fans across 23 Asian markets.
Eurosport also retains extensive ability to sublicense across Asia*. The agreement is a further example of how Eurosport is continuing to secure exclusive worldwide rights with the ability to sublicense, helping to deliver audience growth and drive value.
Peter Hutton, Eurosport CEO, said: “We are excited to expand our rights for the Six Nations Championship across Asia, a region with a growing passion for rugby. The agreement is a further mark of how Eurosport is continuing to build beyond its core base in Europe, acquiring sought-after rights in Asia where we can present coverage on Eurosport and other Discovery platforms, as well as seek favourable sublicense agreements to bring the Championships to new fans.”
In a separate announcement, Eurosport confirmed the French national team’s autumn international rugby matches will be shown on Eurosport platforms following a new exclusive worldwide (excluding France) agreement with the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR). The agreement will see Eurosport act as a gatekeeper to distribute matches around the world, as well as show matches in Europe and Asia Pacific on Discovery platforms.
*Excluding Japan and Singapore.
Territories include: Brunei, Cambodia, China (non-exclusive in English language), Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kirgizstan, Laos, Macau, Maldives, Mongolia, Mauritius, Myanmar, North Korea, Philippines, Seychelles Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Timor Leste, Thailand, and Vietnam.
** Non-exclusive in English language.
Notes
Setanta Asia: Setanta Asia provides a premium 100% rugby channel in Asia and is part of the Discovery Group. Launched in 2010 and acquired by Discovery in June 2015. 500+ exclusive games per season. Main properties: Sanzar, European Champions and Challenge Cup, NRL, Aviva Premiership, Pro 12 and International test-matches.
Rugby Pass: Discovery Communications, owner of Eurosport, holds a minority stake in RugbyPass, the digital content platform that reaches passionate rugby fans across 23 Asian markets with the world’s best competitions – live or on demand – from any device.
ENDS
About Eurosport
Eurosport, the number one sport destination in Europe, connects fans and athletes around the greatest sports events. Its channels, Eurosport 1, Eurosport 2 and Eurosportnews, reach 236 million cumulative subscribers across 93 countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Eurosport.com is Europe’s No.1 online sports news website with an average of 14m unique users per month. Eurosport Player is an all-access pass to the greatest events on the calendar, available anytime and on any device in 52 countries. Eurosport Events specialises in the management and promotion of international sporting events. More information is available by visiting corporate.eurosport.com.
Eurosport contacts
Asia Pacific
Magdalene Ng, magdalene_ng@discovery.com, +65 6510 7563
Charmaine Huet, charmaine_huet@discovery.com, +65 6510 7545